Crawford Stripped of WBC Super Middleweight Title
Terence Crawford, the unified champion at super middleweight, found himself in a heated dispute with the World Boxing Council (WBC) after the organization stripped him of his title. The controversy stems from Crawford’s refusal to pay the proposed sanctioning fees for his title bout with Canelo Alvarez earlier this year. In a scathing social media post, Crawford lashed out at WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman, questioning the organization’s motives and practices.
Crawford’s Furious Response
On Wednesday, Crawford took to Instagram to vent his frustration, railing against Sulaiman’s call for him to pay a sanctioning fee of $300,000 plus an additional $100,000. “Mauricio got a lot to say about me not paying him $300,000 plus another $100K-something for a sanctioning fee,” Crawford fumed. “Then he’s gonna tell me I need to apologize. Who the fck you think I am? Boy, you better slap your fcking self. I ain’t paying your ass, shit.” Crawford’s anger is palpable, and his words reflect a deep-seated frustration with the boxing bureaucracy.
The Question of Fairness
Crawford’s ire doesn’t stop at the financial demand; he also challenges the WBC’s perceived superiority. “What makes you so motherfcking better than any other sanctioning body?” he demands. “Everybody accepted what I was giving them. The WBC think that you better than everybody, and you’ve got the fcking green belt, which don’t mean fcking shit. You want me to pay you more than the other sanctioning bodies because you feel like you’re better than them. You can take the fcking belt. It’s a trophy anyway!” Crawford’s comments highlight a broader issue in boxing: the often arbitrary and unfair practices of sanctioning bodies.
The Financial Side of the Issue
Sanctioning fees are a standard part of boxing, with sanctioning bodies typically taking a percentage of the purse. For fighters like Crawford, who command substantial purses, these fees can add up. In Crawford’s case, the WBC had agreed to a reduced fee of 0.6 percent, amounting to $300,000 on his $50M purse. Despite this concession, Crawford remains unwilling to pay, leading to his title being stripped. His stance reflects a growing sentiment among fighters who feel exploited by the financial demands of sanctioning bodies.
Accusations of Favoritism
Crawford believes there’s more to the WBC’s decision than mere financial disputes. He accuses Sulaiman of favoritism and resentment. “Mauricio, everybody in the world knows you were going for Canelo,” Crawford asserts. “You was mad that I beat Canelo. It’s OK. It happens. Say congratulations, instead of having that little smirk on your face, all mad and pouting. You should’ve took the money, and you should have been thankful and grateful that I was rocking your belt around as your champion. But you wanted to make it about you.” Crawford’s comments suggest a deeper conflict rooted in personal and professional rivalries.
Hope for Change
In a nod to potential solutions, Crawford expressed support for a new boxing league being developed by Turki Alalshikh and UFC CEO Dana White. “Turki, I hope y’all get that done,” Crawford said. “I hope y’all get that done so we can all see people like this guy go away from boxing, because they ruin the sport. They’ve got they ranking systems when people be mandatories for year, like [David] Benavidez, they don’t strip these fighters. The WBC, you ain’t never see them strip Canelo for Benavidez. He was what, mandatory for like two years? It’s crazy. That’s that favoritism shit.” Crawford’s endorsement of the new league signals a desire for a more transparent and fair system in boxing.
The Unbroken Champion
Despite the loss of his WBC title, Crawford remains defiant and confident. “I’m still the champion. Can’t take that away from me. History already been made, baby. I am legend,” he declared. Crawford’s words serve as a reminder that while titles can be stripped, the respect and recognition earned in the ring are unassailable. His stance against the WBC and his support for change reflect a broader movement within boxing to ensure fighters are treated fairly and the sport remains competitive and enjoyable for all.
